Yesterday, Apple rolled out iTunes Plus in the iTunes US Store, which offers higher-quality DRM-free downloads for $1.29 (a $0.30 premium over the “standard” $0.99 download). The “Plus” downloads are DRM-free 256kbps AAC files, playable by any device or software that supports AAC (not just iTunes or iPods).

Lotuspike applauds this move, and agrees with Steve Jobs’ “Thoughts On Music” post in which he indicated Apple’s position that DRM-free music is better for consumers.

We are working with our iTunes affiliate to attempt to get our music into the “iTunes Plus” store; at the moment, it’s not clear how independent labels like ourselves can participate.

Meanwhile, Lotuspike music is available from other sites like eMusic in DRM-free formats, and of course remains available from the iTunes Store in the standard Protected AAC format.